Journey to the Cross: March of Redemption
In the Bible, we are instructed to remember and revisit the death of Jesus again and again: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)
I don’t know about you, but when tragedy and suffering strike, I don’t really enjoy having the loss and pain of those memories loom on the forefront of my mind for very long. But with the horrific suffering and death of Jesus, everything is different.
On the journey to the cross at Calvary, the saddest thing ever is simultaneously the most wonderful thing ever. The worst thing that could possibly happen became the best thing that could possibly happen.
Death resurrects to life. Judgement transforms into forgiveness. Hopelessness provides hope. The tragic journey to the cross culminates with the celebration of the empty tomb.
It is the most important series of events in the Christian calendar, and in the history of the world, so we should set aside a portion of the year to meditate solely on the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
For many, that portion of the year begins today with the start of a 40-day Lenten period. If you’re interested in following that calendar and reading plan, I have a devotional titled Journey to the Cross.
(And for those of you who are good at quick math but unfamiliar with Lent, you “skip” Sundays and read Monday through Saturday).
Another option is my new Everyday Gospel Easter Devotional. We have curated 30 Easter-related entries from the original Everyday Gospel 365-day book and added reflections and prayers to help you prepare during the month leading up to Easter Sunday.
There are many other rich gospel resources and reading plans available to help you journey through Lent and celebrate Easter. Whatever you choose this season, choose to mourn and celebrate.
Mourn the suffering and death of Jesus. Mourn the brokenness of the world. Mourn your sin that sent him on that journey to the cross. Mourning sin—past, present, and future—is the first step in seeking and celebrating the divine grace that is the hope of everyone whose heart has been made able to see by that very same grace.
May your mourning increase so that your joy may deepen. May you groan more so that you would pray more. But may that sadness ignite a celebration that results in an unshakeable confidence in the promise of the victory of the empty tomb!
The empty tomb of Jesus guarantees another resurrection. We will rise up on the last day and be transported to a new world, a world where all things have been made new. There will be no more sin, there will be no more devil, there will be no more broken world, and there will be no more death.
All pain, frustration, discouragement, and suffering will forever end. And as risen and fully redeemed beings, we will live forever in peace and harmony with our risen Savior King.
The empty tomb of Jesus is your guarantee that what you live with today will not always be. Every enemy that troubles your life right here, right now, will be under the victorious feet of your risen Savior, Jesus. His empty tomb guarantees the completion of his work, the march of redemption.
The journey to the cross is a part of the march of redemption that will not relent until that last enemy is under his feet. Then, and only then, will he usher in his final kingdom and invite us into a world where all things have been made new.
Dark and horrible moment
light of truth
flame of peace
candle of purity
snuffed out
tempter’s lie
evil desire
disobedience
shalom shattered
death invades life
hiding from God
human acrimony
Garden expulsion
thorns and thistles
toil and suffering
diseases physical and spiritual
serpent’s lie
serpent’s curse
serpent’s doom
seed of the woman
redemption’s promise
humanity’s hope
bruised heal crushed head
in darkness light
in defeat hope
for sin a sacrifice
Tower of Babel
divine regret
flood of judgment
covenant promises
Abraham’s seed
nations blessed
Issac’s inheritance
Jacob’s ladder
Joseph’s rescue
Egyptian captivity
Moses and Aaron
plagues of warning
angel of death
Passover Lamb
deliverance
Red Sea rescue
cloud and pillar
law from Sinai
water from a rock
manna from heaven
land of promise
prophets and kings
David and Solomon
nation divided
idolatry and exile
Isaiah and Daniel
remnant return
Ezra and Nehemiah
Elizabeth’s song
Mary’s miracle
Abraham’s seed
Son of David
Son of Man
Son of God
The Word
Emmanuel
Christ Jesus
righteous life
despised and rejected
trial and torture
criminal’s cross
substitutionary sacrifice
victorious resurrection
royal ascension
priestly reign
apostolic mission
gift of the spirit
gifts to the church
gospel proclaimed
gospel spread
final victory
kingdom come
multitude before the throne
sin and suffering no more
death dead
every tear dried
bridegroom ready
bride adorned
wedding feast
eternal hallelujahs
peace and righteousness forever
Amen and amen.
A Prayer for Today: Lord, in this Lenten season, please help me to remember the sacrifice you made when you went to the cross on my behalf. In the days leading up to Easter, it’s easy to forget about all that you’ve done for me personally, so please help me to mourn and rejoice. Mourn over my sin that put you on the cross, and rejoice in the eternal weight of a life with you where sin and suffering will be no more. Thank you for securing my everlasting destiny in a relationship with you, and thank you for condescending to a sinner like me so I can know what it is to be truly and fully loved. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Discussion Prompt for Children
1. Why do you think we count and celebrate the days leading up to Easter? Why is Easter so important? What do you think Easter really means? Do you have any ideas that we can do to celebrate and remind ourselves of the true meaning of Easter?
2. Why do you think people say that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is both the worst thing that ever happened and at the same time, the best thing that ever happened? How can it be both?
3. Why does the empty tomb of Jesus guarantee that Jesus is the Savior God offers to us? If someone offers you something, how do you accept the gift that’s being given to you? Have you ever said “yes” and received the gift God offers to you in Jesus?
4. Can I pray for you right now and can we celebrate together the wonderful gift God has given us in Jesus?
Reflection Questions
1. Why is the Lenten season such an important part of the calendar and how does it help you focus appropriately on the beautiful sacrifice that Jesus made for you personally? In the past, how has Lent helped you to both mourn and celebrate? How can daily time in the Scriptures leading up to Easter help you form a rhythm of celebration and mourning that focuses on Jesus, his life, his death, and his resurrection?
2. When it comes to remembering the sacrifice of Jesus, how can an increase in mourning help you to deepen your joy and celebration?
3. How does the empty tomb of Jesus strengthen your confidence in the past, present, and future as someone who is in Christ? In what ways does the resurrection of Jesus bolster excitement for your own personal resurrection that is to come?
4. What are the struggles and sufferings that you’re going through right now? How does the empty tomb speak to those trials and tribulations and give you hope?